Emerging Insights in Leader Motivating Language Theory by Jacqueline Mayfield, Milton Mayfield, Linjuan Rita Men

This volume presents new research on a flourishing and evolving leader communication theory – motivating language. Divided into three parts, it explores the foundations of the field, its antecedents and outcomes, and its application in various industries and contexts. The authors re-examine the theoretical foundations of the theory and its potential in dialogic and virtual settings. They also explore various extensions of motivating language, including its applications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Integrating a broad scope of approaches that draws from diverse fields, this work offers researchers in management, leadership, and business communication overviews of recent research as well as extensions of motivating language theory that will advance the field.

Jacqueline Mayfield is Professor Emeritus of Management in the A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business at Texas A&M International University, USA. She was the Co-Editor for the International Journal of Business Communication from 2018 to 2025 and currently Co-Editor of the book series, New Perspectives in Organizational Communication.

Milton Mayfield is Professor Emeritus of Management in the A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business at Texas A&M International University, USA. He was the Co-Editor for the International Journal of Business Communication from 2018 to 2025 and currently Co-Editor of the book series, New Perspectives in Organizational Communication.

Linjuan Rita Men is Professor of Public Relations and Director of Internal Communication Research in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, USA. Her research interests include internal communication, leadership communication, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurial communications.